Each month we choose one winner and they will receive fantastic prizes. The prizes can include; dog or cat biscuits, flea products, shampoos, beds and some fun toys for your pet.

Your pet's photo and a short story will then be published in our email newsletter that we send our clients.

Subscribe to our newsletter direct from our website www.sanfordvet.com.au. Also winners will be uploaded to our new website Photo Gallery at www.sanfordvet.com.au (check out the past winners) as well as featured on our Facebook page. We look forward to seeing your pet's photos and short description sometime soon.

While you may be getting excited about the abundance of treats over Easter, don't forget that chocolate is toxic, and sometimes even fatal if ingested by our pets. To reduce likelihood of ingestion, don't leave chocolate in a spot that your pet can reach. This is particularly important when leaving eggs out for an Easter hunt and it is best to count the number of eggs you hide and make sure all have been discovered, before your furry friend gets to them! Dogs are most commonly affected by chocolate toxicity as they are very good at seeking out tasty morsels, even through plastic wrapping. It is important to remember that cats and other species are susceptible to the toxic effects of chocolate too.

What makes chocolate toxic?

Chocolate contains Theobromine, a caffeine derivative that cannot be metabolized by our pets.

Why isn't chocolate toxic to humans?

Humans can break down and excrete Theobromine much more efficiently than our pets.

What to watch out for:

Symptoms from any amount of chocolate ingestion usually occur within hours of ingestion

hyperactivity

tremors

racing heartbeat

vomiting, diarrhoea

seizures

death

Is certain chocolate more toxic than others? Yes. The more cocoa that is in the chocolate, the more toxic it is. Cooking chocolate is about seven times more toxic than milk chocolate Here is a bit of a guide to a potentially fatal amount for a 10kg dog:70g cooking chocolate 200g semi sweet/dark chocolate 600g milk chocolate If your pet ingests chocolate you need to seek veterinary attention immediately. We will usually be able to reduce toxicity by inducing vomiting.

When clients notice their pet has an eye problem, they often call to ask what they can do at home and if they need to visit the clinic. Eye problems can be very painful and if left untreated, can deteriorate rapidly. Here are some basic rules to get you out of trouble and keep your pet’s eyes safe. You need to see a vet if your pet:

has one or both eyes closed or is squinting

has swollen eyelids

has redness noticed on the white of the eye

has a sudden increase in discharge

is continually rubbing his eye

If your pet ever has any discharge from the eye, only ever wipe your pet’s eyes with a damp cotton wool ball. NEVER put your own eye drops in your pet’s eyes as this may damage the eye.

Please don't be tempted to put left over ointment or drops in your pet's eyes as some medictions may make certain eye problems worse. For example, medication for an inflamed eye will make an eye with a scratch to the cornea much worse.We are always happy to give you advice about your pet’s eyes so if you are ever concerned call us for a chat or an appointment.

Felix is a loveable moggie. Trying to impress the ladies in his younger days, Felix found himself in plenty of fights with the neighborhood cats.Sadly, somewhere along the line he was infected with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). This virus is spread most commonly through cat bites. Cats may appear healthy for years until the virus starts to attack the cat’s immune system making them susceptible to infections and certain types of cancers. Currently Felix has some skin problems that are being managed with antibiotics. His life expectancy isn’t as good as it would be if he wasn’t infected with FIV but some TLC will mean his life will be comfortable.The good news is that you can protect your cat against FIV with vaccination. We need to perform a simple blood test before we commence the vaccination course and then yearly boosters are required to maintain protection. Any cat that is allowed to venture outside, even if only for short periods should be vaccinated. For more information click here

There is a good chance that your pet will require medication at some point in their life. Keep your pet out of trouble by following these tips:

Always give the advised dose

DO NOT give more medication if you think your pet is in pain or unwell. Jack the diabetic cat is an example of how dangerous this can be. He was given another dose of insulin because he appeared unwell. Jack became hypoglycemic and collapsed and needed to be admitted to intensive care

If you miss a dose, do not be tempted to give a double dose next time

If your pet vomits after giving the medication you should call us for advice

If you need to hide a tablet in food, use the smallest amount possible so you can be sure your pet eats it! Cats are excellent at eating around a tablet and dogs are good at spitting the tablet out later

Make sure you are clear on the following:

Does the medication need to be given with food?

How many days do you need to give your pet medication? Don’t just stop the medication if you think your pets seems better!

How often do I need to give the medication? If you are giving medication twice daily it is best to give it 12 hours apart, e.g 7 am and 7pm.

How should I store the medication? Does it need to be refrigerated?

Does my pet need a re-check after the medication has finished?

If you are ever confused or have a question about your pet’s medication, you should call us to discuss. When it comes to your pet’s health, there is never a stupid question!